In June of 2007, AIST debuted the latest incarnation in their long line of humanoid robots – the HRP-3 Promet Mk-II (again designed by Mr. Yutaka Izubuchi). The Promet Mk-II has the ability to grasp tools in its three-fingered hands, and used an electric drill during its demonstration. It has 5 cameras inside its head (if you look closely at the helmet, you can see where the cameras are located), along with its laser range sensors.

Like the HRP-3P, Promet Mk-II is fully rain and dust-proof, has anti-slip ZMP control for walking on slippery surfaces, and has a 48V Ni-MH battery with a life of 60 to 120 minutes depending on conditions. It stands 160cm tall, weighs 68kg (including battery), and has 42 degrees of freedom (neck x 2, waist x 2, arms 7 × 2, leg 6 × 2, Hand 6 × 2). That is 12 DOF more than the HRP-2 Promet.

The next challenge will be to reduce the cost of such a robot. At the time of its demonstration, a single unit was 38,000,000 JPY ($380,000). They hope to reduce that figure by more than half. AIST continues to develop robots for a variety of purposes, such as their dinosaur robots for the entertainment industry – and strive to have a robot capable of supporting human beings by 2010. More than 10 universities are conducting research using the older HRP-2 Promet model, which may lead to further breakthroughs.

"Machines will follow a path that mirrors the evolution of humans. Ultimately, however, self-aware, self-improving machines will evolve beyond humans' ability to control or even understand them." - Ray Kurzweil